Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time.
A child falls off their bike and knocks out a front tooth. A filling breaks while eating on a Sunday evening. A dull toothache on Friday develops into facial swelling by Saturday morning.
When something goes wrong, knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make a real difference. This guide explains how to respond to common dental emergencies, when to contact a dentist and when to seek immediate medical attention.
This information is general in nature and does not replace an examination by a qualified dental professional.
Is It Really a Dental Emergency?
Some dental problems can safely wait for a routine appointment, while others require urgent attention.
Contact a dentist as soon as possible if you experience:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- A knocked-out, loose, or displaced tooth
- A badly chipped, cracked or broken tooth
- Facial or jaw swelling
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth
- A lost filling or crown causing significant pain
- Signs of infection, such as swelling, fever or a bad taste in the mouth
If you are unsure whether your situation is urgent, call us and explain what has happened. Our team can help you determine the most appropriate next step.
What Should You Do If a Tooth Is Knocked Out?
A knocked-out adult tooth needs immediate attention. The sooner it is managed, the better the chance may be of saving it.
Pick the tooth up carefully by the white crown—the part normally visible in the mouth. Avoid touching the root.
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it very briefly and gently. Do not scrub it, dry it or remove any attached tissue. If you feel confident, carefully place the tooth back into its socket, ensuring it is facing the correct way. Bite gently on clean gauze to help keep it in place.
If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it in a small container of milk and contact a dentist immediately. Do not allow it to dry out.
A knocked-out baby tooth should never be placed back into the socket, as this may damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Bring the tooth with you and arrange an urgent dental assessment.
Prompt treatment can improve the chance of saving a knocked-out permanent tooth, so do not wait to see whether it settles on its own.
What About a Chipped, Cracked or Broken Tooth?
Not every chipped tooth requires immediate treatment, but it should still be assessed.
Arrange an urgent appointment if the tooth:
- Is painful or sensitive
- Has broken significantly
- Appears to have exposed the inside of the tooth
- Has a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek
- Was damaged during a fall or impact
While waiting to be seen, rinse your mouth gently with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face if swelling is present, and keep any pieces of the tooth you can find.
A small, pain-free chip may not require same-day care, but it is still important to have it checked before the damage becomes worse.
Facial Swelling and Dental Abscesses
Facial swelling caused by a tooth or gum infection should always be taken seriously. Dental infections do not usually resolve without treatment and can spread to surrounding tissues.
Contact a dentist urgently if you notice swelling around your tooth, gum, jaw or face—particularly when it is accompanied by:
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- Increasing pain
- A bad taste or discharge in the mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Rapidly spreading swelling
If the swelling is affecting your breathing or swallowing, call 000 immediately or attend your nearest hospital emergency department. This is a medical emergency.
What Can You Do for a Severe Toothache?
Tooth pain can begin as a mild ache before quickly becoming difficult to ignore. If the pain is keeping you awake, preventing you from eating or affecting your normal activities, arrange an urgent dental appointment.
While waiting to be seen, you may:
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water
- Keep the area clean
- Use pain relief that is appropriate for you and taken according to its directions
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face if swelling is present
Avoid placing aspirin or other medication directly against the tooth or gum, as this may damage the tissue.
These measures may provide temporary relief, but they will not treat the cause of the pain. A dental examination is needed to identify and manage the underlying problem.
What If Bleeding Will Not Stop?
If your mouth is bleeding following an injury or dental procedure, place clean gauze over the area and apply firm, continuous pressure for 10 to 15 minutes.
Avoid repeatedly removing the gauze to check the area, as this may interrupt clotting. If the bleeding remains heavy, does not begin to slow or is accompanied by a significant facial injury, seek urgent care.
Need an Emergency Dentist? Here’s What Happens Next
If you call us before 2 pm, Monday to Friday, we will aim to offer you a same-day emergency appointment.
If your dental emergency occurs after 2 pm or on a Saturday, please call us anyway. Our team can listen to what is happening and help guide you towards the most appropriate next step.
During an emergency appointment, our immediate priorities are to:
- Assess the cause of the problem
- Relieve pain where possible
- Stabilise the affected tooth or gums
- Manage or reduce the risk of infection
- Explain any further treatment that may be required
In some situations, the first appointment will focus on making you comfortable and protecting the area, with further treatment arranged once the immediate problem is under control.
Keep Our Number Handy
When a dental emergency happens, acting quickly and calmly can make all the difference.
Remember:
- Keep a knocked-out adult tooth moist and seek help immediately.
- Never reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.
- Do not ignore severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding or facial swelling.
- Call 000 if swelling is affecting breathing or swallowing.
For emergency dental advice or an urgent appointment, call us on 03 8798 9798.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a dental emergency?
Severe pain, facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, a knocked-out tooth, or a badly damaged tooth may all require urgent treatment. If you are unsure, call us and describe your symptoms so we can help you decide what to do.
Can I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be reinserted because this may damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Your child should still be assessed by a dentist.
How long can a knocked-out adult tooth survive outside the mouth?
Every minute matters. Immediate action gives the tooth its best chance of being saved. If it cannot be placed back into its socket, keep it moist in milk and contact a dentist straight away.
Should I go to hospital for a dental emergency?
Most dental problems are best treated by a dentist. However, call 000 or attend an emergency department if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial swelling, severe facial trauma or bleeding that cannot be controlled.
Do you provide after-hours emergency dental care?
We aim to provide same-day appointments when you call before 2 pm, Monday to Friday. If the problem occurs later in the day or on a Saturday, call us directly so our team can help you determine the most appropriate next step.
